Ughh...This was a tough one because many of the books I read have already been adapted into something so I went to my Go To knowledge which are Movies/Actors/Actresses. Wandering Through The Shelves picked a doozy and I had to put my thinking dunce..er thinking cap on. I will also state these are Mini-Series or now called Limited-Run Series. These will also be on the good old fashioned regular TV-No Netflix, Prime, Disney, HBO, Hulu, Gulu, Zulu, Boo-Boo. Here they are...
1. CAST OF KILLERS BY SYDNEY D. KIRKPATRICK-1986
I have always been intrigued by the murder of William Desmond Taylor, a pretty famous director, back 100 years ago. He was murdered on Feb 1, 1922 and the murder has never been solved. Careers of some big stars were harmed because of his murder and the sensationalized antics of the newspapers. Famous stars, Mable Normand and Mary Miles Minter were thrown to the wolves by the newsmen. It was found out that William Desmond Taylor was actually, William D. Tanner who walked out of his home in New York City(I think, 1909) and never returned, leaving his wife and daughter behind. This book was brought to my attention by Joel, whom I think is the Guru for anything Hollywood. Mr. Kirkpatrick wanted to write a biography on King Vidor, a very famous film director but, when Mr. Kirkpatrick found a steel box, hidden away, with all the investigative notes by King Vidor on the Taylor murder case, he decided to write a book on this murder. It does go step by step through all the crap that was written about Taylor, the people involved and what was unfounded and what was surprising. I found the book went a bit to the romantic glow of it (when Vidor meets Mintor in 1967 and is dumbstruck at how Minter looks and behaves) plus I think he may have taken some liberties (Vidor and Colleen Moore relationship as he was not in the room with them) but I do like the investigation. I would love to talk with Joel about who Vidor thought was guilty because I am not 100% certain of this author's assessment or even Vidor's. Anyway, why no film has been made about this big murder is beyond me.
2. LOUISE BROOKS BY BARRY PARIS-1989
I have always been enamoured with Louise Brooks because of her intelligent beauty. I had no idea about her rebellious nature nor her sexual appetites and F You attitude that got her into many troubles. Barry Paris wrote an excellent book about her life detailing many events that just leave you gobsmacked. She is best known for playing in the 2 German films, "Pandora's Box" and "Diary Of A Lost Girl" both directed by G.W. Pabst (whom she slept with...she also had a one night stand with Garbo). It would be a brilliant mini-series to see this actress's life come alive but it would have to be intelligently written so, I think, PBS, should have this. The only problem is...who could play this rebellious lady with a strong, screw you attitude, but with great intelligence. If you can think of someone today who could play her, that would be great. Please no Keira Knightly.
3. MARLENE BY MARIA RIVA-1992
I could not put this book down and it is not a "Mommie Dearest" type book but a very detailed account of a world famous star, Marlene Dietrich, and the image she had to always portray. It truly showcases how narcissistic Marlene was and how she manipulated her husband and his beautiful, intelligent, sweet but frail mistress, Tamara, who finally was placed in a mental institution. Marlene went from shocking the film industry by wearing pants and kissing girls to box office poison only to return in a western before helping out the war effort, singing for the troops sometimes behind enemy lines. She also gave herself to many a soldier since they need something before they may die in battle the next day. She became a Cabaret star (I don't get it) in very "revealing" outfits. When she fell off the stage in the 70's and broke her leg, she retired to her Paris apartment spending the last years of her life in bed...never moving from it...literally!. This is an excellent document on a very disturbed but talented woman. Again this must be shown on PBS and who could play Marlene? Please no Meryl (ughh) and no Jennifer Lawrence. Maybe Diane Kruger??
The clips I chose are lengthy but they give a good insight into the possible films that could be done.
Which books would you choose to become series?